Then and Now

Exhibition and Symposium celebrating 50 years since the opening of The London College of Furniture

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of The London College of Furniture (LCF),a predecessor of The Cass at London Metropolitan University, this November the university will be holding an exhibition to illustrate therichness of the institution and its international status.Combining over 70 pieces of furniture, machinery, photographs, originalarchive material, and objects ranging from toys to musical instruments, the exhibition surveys the last 50 years of furniture making, through to today’s contemporary practices, and looks ahead to the future of the sector.

The exhibition comprises of pieces by LCF alumni, students, lecturers,designers and craftspersons who attended the courses from 1964 to 1992, as well as contemporary practitioners who have gone on to lead their field.Illustrious alumni whose work is included in the show include FrederickParker (founder of the company that later became Parker Knoll), Lucian Ercolani (the founder of Ercol), and, more recently, famous designers suchas Terence Woodgate, Michael Marriot and Roberto Feo (El Ultimo Grito).Alongside the exhibits, the Frederick Parker Collection, which is on longtermloan to The Cass, will also be on display. This collection of over 140chairs includes some by past and present staff and associates of the Cass,whose work is included in the retrospective exhibition, such as Robin Day,Ernest Race and William Warren.

On Thursday 27th November The Cass will be hosting a one-day symposiumto celebrate the opening of the exhibition and share the achievements ofthe LCF. The first half of the day will explore the rich heritage of the school,with eminent speakers such as the former principal of the LCF, PeterMetcalf and Cliff Rust, Chairman of the Frederick Parker Collection. Theafternoon presentations will examine how education and industry arecurrently working together for the common future at The Cass. Speakersinclude the Dean of The Cass, Professor Robert Mull and former PVC of theUniversity of the Creative Arts, Professor Paul Coyle.

Exhibition runs: 28th November – 14th January (University closed between20th December – 9th January)

Opening hours: 10am – 6pm (Mon – Fri) 11am – 4pm (Sat)

Exhibition Free

Address: 42 – 47 Commercial Road, London E1 1LA (The Gallery is next door to the University’s main entrance on the right hand side)

Book the Symposium Here

Book Private View Here

For more information email Dr John Cross